Thread: Dancer Search By Zip Code Idea

Just feeling out bhuzzers about this brainstorm I had. I have no idea if I'd want to actually take it on, but I thought it was an idea at least worth running up the flagpole to see who salutes it.

There are BD directories, unpaid like Shira's and paid like Partypop and Gigmasters, where you can find a performer/teacher by city/state. My idea is to have a site where the person searching can put their zip code in, and it would return a list of performers or teachers with resulting "miles away" information. I have a bit of database experience, not to mention contacts with some amazing software developers, and it looks like I could get simple zip code radius info pretty cheaply from a source like this Zip Code Database List

When it comes to performer searches, I'm thinking that even though we usually don't want people to know our addresses, it would be acceptable for them to know what zip code we live in? My thought is it would give them advance information on how far a dancer would have to travel to perform at their event.

For classes, I was thinking that if you teach at multiple locations, you would enter the zip code of all your teaching locations. So someone would actually be able to see how many miles it would be from their house to whatever classes are offered within a 15 or 20 mile radius.

I would want an interface where you would specify if you were looking for a performer or a class before putting in your zip code information, because I consider them to be two entirely different searches.

I guess a question for performers/teachers would be, how much would you be willing to pay (or would you be willing at all) to be included in such a specific search tool (presuming the site would rank highly with the usual search engines like google, yahoo, etc?) And for everyone, do you think that the current city/state searchable sites are more than good enough? Am I just splitting hairs in my usual analytical, OCD way?

Finally, I do have a background in IT and database management, but much of it was on the job training and somewhat specific to the field I was in. Any database gurus out there who can see gaping logistical holes already in my pie-in-the-sky idea?

I think its genius! :)

Love the idea! Not sure how much I'd be willing to pay, but I'd be willing to pay *something* for inclusion in something like this!! With so many Chicago 'burbs I'm sure lots of potential clients would love the zip code search!!

I love it! If the site were highly google-ranked, I'd be willing to pay. Not a lot, but some. I'd have to think about dollars...

As a student, I would love something like that to find about about teachers and events in my area.

I think the idea has merit. Your biggest headache will be all the administrivia of managing when people's placements expire and dealing with updates. Whew, gives me a headache to think of it! :-)

Originally Posted by *Shira*

I think the idea has merit. Your biggest headache will be all the administrivia of managing when people's placements expire and dealing with updates. Whew, gives me a headache to think of it! :-)

I know what you mean! The one thing that makes me hesitate is the thought that I'd probably need to charge more than anyone's willing to pay to make it worth all the time and effort. Still, the idea won't quite leave my brain, which is usually a sign that part of me really wants to make it happen!

I think its an awesome idea!!

I'd definitely pay something for it, but I'm not sure what either.

It sounds like a fabulous idea!

Another comment...

I do think your zip code search is more user-friendly than the way my directory is structured. It makes it easier to zero in on which dancers in a large metro area (such as Chicago) are near you, and it also solves the problem of people who live in a border city between two states and want to make sure people in the neighboring state know about them. The negative is that it would work for only U.S. unless you can find a comparable database for other countries.

One key issue will be that of attaining a good search engine ranking. If you can't make your site highly ranked on google, end users won't search it, and therefore dancers won't be willing to pay to be in it. Now, you COULD pay for higher ranking on google, but if a lot of people start searching the directory it could really add up in fees.

Just more food for thought.

I love this idea as a user. As a pro performer/teacher, I don't know cause I am not either. I often find it frustrating doing a city/state search cause I always get stuff that I know is to far away but technically in the city limits. If you build it, they will come!

Originally Posted by laura 2

My idea is to have a site where the person searching can put their zip code in, and it would return a list of performers or teachers with resulting "miles away" information. I would want an interface where you would specify if you were looking for a performer or a class before putting in your zip code information.

I like it!

Some thoughts:

* For performers, I don't see a need to indicate how far away the performer is from the entertainment venue. Instead, I think the performer should put in zip codes to which he/she is willing to travel; if the original program is input correctly, all the performer has to do is put in a range of zip codes. This is because, as you probably have noticed, city zip codes are grouped by the first three digits of the code. So, using this idea, if a performer was willing to travel within Orange County, which has zip code prefixes of 926, 927 and 928, he/she could input a zip code range of 92601-92899 and get all the county's cities. If somebody in Newport Beach was looking for a dancer, then any performer who included Newport Beach's zip in his/her range of travel would show on the list. That would be dead useful.

* You are dead-on with the class search, too: the potential student puts in his/her zip code and travel radius and all the classes that are within that radius pop up. Then all the student has to do is determine which day/time/dance style/dance level is appropriate. That's great! I might even include a little on-screen *suggestion* that the user consider whether his/her work or home zip code would be most useful . . .

* Also the idea of the interface where the searcher specifies entertainment or classes is essential. Excellent.

* I'd be willing to pay about $150 annually, I think, maybe up to $200. (I dunno, am I completely too low for something like this?) It would be great to offer shorter-term subscriptions so people could try it out and see if it works for them; I'd also price the less-than-1-year subscriptions so that upon renewal, they'll pay more than someone who commits to the full year term. For example, if a 1-year subscrip' is $200, then a 3-monther might be $75 (very expensive to renew every three months at $300/yr) and a 6-monther, $120 ($240 to renew for a year); this way, when folks think about renewal, they might think about longer-term purchases so they can save themselves some $$$.

* Also, if you limit the number of subscriptions you sell, anyone who does purchase one will know that they're pool of competitors is finite and might see the subscription as more valuable.

Deborah

Originally Posted by Sariah

As a student, I would love something like that to find about about teachers and events in my area.

Me too!!

i think google already does that....

at least it works for me to a degree.

Originally Posted by laura 2

I know what you mean! The one thing that makes me hesitate is the thought that I'd probably need to charge more than anyone's willing to pay to make it worth all the time and effort. Still, the idea won't quite leave my brain, which is usually a sign that part of me really wants to make it happen!

Maybe you and Shira should partner. You could add that feature to her already high ranking site. ..g.:

I am very happy to announce that we will soon have an expanded Teachers and Performers Classifieds section.

Some of the features:
1. search by key word
2. search by zip code, or range of zip codes
3 We are working on a feature where the site will bring up a list of teachers/performers within a 10/25/50 mile range of the chosen zip.
4.The listings will be visible to all viewers, not just members.
5. A Google map of your location is included!
6. You will have lots of room for contact information, class/performance listings, descriptions, info about you, etc., Easy to use interface to upload your info!
7. You will be able to easily upload your videos and pictures to your own page!
8. Your listing can act as a one page website for your business if you dont want to maintain your own site!
9. Your page will have a unique URL that you can link to from anywhere.
10. International locations included
11. You can include a comments area with testimonials from students and clients.

Please tell everyone you know about this great new feature! I will send out PMs and emails to all members when it is ready to go; should be by the end of this month.

We will charging a $5 nominal monthly fee to encourage teachers and performers to keep their listings up to date. This is on a monthly basis, no long term subscriptions, you can delete your listing anytime.

BHUZ will spend this money on Google ads to drive searchers to find YOU!.

I am thinking that the first 25 people who sign up will get their first months payment refunded. Any other ideas about how to spread the word and get the ball rolling?

Payments will be thru Paypal. This feature will replace the current Members>Teachers and Members>performers pages.

Additional suggestions are welcome!

Originally Posted by casbahdance

I like it!

* I'd be willing to pay about $150 annually, I think, maybe up to $200. (I dunno, am I completely too low for something like this?) It would be great to offer shorter-term subscriptions so people could try it out and see if it works for them; I'd also price the less-than-1-year subscriptions so that upon renewal, they'll pay more than someone who commits to the full year term. For example, if a 1-year subscrip' is $200, then a 3-monther might be $75 (very expensive to renew every three months at $300/yr) and a 6-monther, $120 ($240 to renew for a year); this way, when folks think about renewal, they might think about longer-term purchases so they can save themselves some $$$.

Deborah

How about $5 per month and no subscription or obligation?

I *might* be willing to do $8 a month, but no more- honestly I don't think I have ever had a client contact me through a paid listing. BUT as a student, I use Shira's site all the time when I am traveling to find local instructors at my destination, as well as googling the heck out of the area- so teachers who are better known & who would be attracting more experienced dancers might benefit more & therefore willing to pay more. Dunno really. you should probably work out a feasibility study...

Originally Posted by rosey

How about $5 per month and no subscription or obligation?

I'm in!

When can I sign up? Huh?? Huh???

Deborah

Originally Posted by casbahdance

I'm in!

When can I sign up? Huh?? Huh???

Deborah

Thank you! I hope to have it ready by the end of this month.

Hmm...not sure that I want to add yet another monthly expense to my advertising budget. And more students doesn't really bring me more $$ - it goes to the studios where I teach. I need more gigs, not more students. I guess I'll have to play this one by ear.

i've been thinking of doing a database much like this myself just because i'm sick of fighting like a dog for gigs. unfortunately, i have no experience in these database matters (yet another pipe dream) so i commend anyone who is willing to give it a shot. if the database has a high google ranking and later becomes a huge success, then i think the users who began at the site at the very beginning should get some kind of kickback - reduced rates, higher on the list of their area...something like that. this would be an incentive for dancers to start listing on the site.
just a word - limiting the search to only within one state would greatly disadvantage dancers who work two states. for example, new york and new jersey scenes are interchangeable.

altogether, the site sounds like a great idea.

just putting in my two cents...very excited about the possibilities and would love to be kept updated and in the loop about something like this.